CFOs discuss hiring for finance jobs in Chicago

Posted on September 26, 2013

CFOs are busy this time of year and are discussing plans to hire for finance jobs in Chicago.

Seven percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) in the Chicago area expect to add new professional-level positions in the fourth quarter, according to the Chicago Professional Employment Forecast from Robert Half.

Organizations looking to expand and add staff may face difficulties. Sixty-one percent of CFOs surveyed said it is at least somewhat challenging to find skilled candidates for professional-level positions today.

Thirteen percent of respondents will not be hiring, even to fill an open position, and 5 percent plan to reduce staff levels. Another 74 percent said they will hire for roles that open during the next three months.

Nine in 10 (90 percent) CFOs expressed confidence in their companies’ growth potential for the quarter, with 46 percent of respondents saying they are very confident.

The Professional Employment Forecast was developed by Robert Half, the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm, and conducted by an independent research firm. The local results reflect a two-quarter rolling average based on interviews with 200 CFOs from a stratified random sample of companies in the Chicago area with 20 or more employees.

“Although many companies in Chicago remain cautious about adding full-time staff, businesses are starting to make internal investments in systems and infrastructure to support growth in the coming year,” said Marilyn Bird, district president for Robert Half in Chicago. “We’re seeing demand for professionals with varied experience in financial services and business supply chains, and specialized skill sets in system analysis and new technologies.”